Beckwith Hall Newsletter, Summer 2005

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With the arrival of this Fifth Edition of the Beckwith Newsletter, I am 
happy to announce that UIUC alum and former DRES graduate assistant, 
Patricia Malik, will return to serve as Director of Beckwith Hall beginning 
in July 2005. Pat earned a doctorate in therapeutic recreation from the 
University of Illinois in 1984. She enjoyed a successful career as a faculty
member at Illinois State University, until serving as president of a family
owned and operated business which provided state of the art residential 
services for persons with disabilities in northwest and central Illinois. 
Pat brings a wealth of expertise and experience to the post, and we are 
certain that under her direction, Beckwith Hall residential, educational and
research programs and services will soar to new heights. Welcome Pat!

Brad Hedrick, Director
Disability Resources and
Educational Services

In this Issue
• Reflections of a Paralympian
• Benefits of the Transitional Disability Management Program
• Wheel Awareness 2005

For an alternative format of this newsletter please go to:
www.disability.uiuc.edu

Welcome

…to the Fifth Edition of the Beckwith Newsletter. It is exciting to 
highlight the experiences and accomplishments of our students academically, 
personally, and professionally. This year’s edition features articles 
written by several current students in all phases of their academic tenure, 
as well as a reflection from a Paralympian.

The ultimate goal of Beckwith Hall programming is to make it possible for 
graduates to go anywhere their lives and career aspirations take them, 
confident that they can manage their own needs. The experiences that the 
students refer to in their articles are the building blocks to the 
attainment of that goal. The opportunities afforded the students living at 
Beckwith Hall facilitate ongoing growth and development in terms of 
maximizing their independence as well. Finally, it is so beneficial for the 
students to be able to interact freely with one another, and not allow the 
barriers that so many individuals cope with daily to thwart their otherwise 
enthusiastic personalities and zest for life.

From our perspective, it has been very fulfilling getting to know all of the 
students and staffthis year, as they are a very dynamic group of 
individuals. It has further been rewarding to assist with their growth,
maturity, and independence through participation in the Transitional 
Disability Management Program. We hope you enjoy reading about their 
accomplishments as much as we enjoyed revisiting them.

Sincerely,
Katherine Johnson
Interim Director

Paige Lewis
Interim Associate Director

A Message from the President
By Stephen Hopkins

Having been a resident of Beckwith Hall for four years, I can look back and 
be very thankful for the opportunities I have been given. Before visiting 
this dormitory, I never thought that I would have a normal higher education 
experience living away from my home and parents. However, I have found in
Beckwith Hall a friendly little community for people with and without 
disabilities. It offers safety, independence, convenience, and most 
importantly, friendships. It seems now that the dorm is much more than a 
stepping stone into independent living for people with disabilities. 

The Beckwith Student Government is a registered student organization on 
campus and its membership is made up entirely from residents of our 
dormitory. Our goal is to raise social awareness of people with 
disabilities on campus. Although this mission is not official or 
verbalized often, it is indirectly achieved through our ability to 
foster a strong living community here in Beckwith Hall. Through 
friendship, courtesy and fun, we form a tight-knit group which is a 
necessary foundation for each resident of the dorm. No individual is 
excluded from social activities and everyone helps each other. There is a 
lack of formality and everyone is treated as an equal, with or without a 
disability. By forming a strong community where friendship and assistance 
are always available, hopefully all members of the Beckwith Student 
Government will leave the university with their individual goals achieved 
and a bright future. 

As president of the Beckwith Student Government, I welcome all to visit and 
join our little community. Hopefully it can offer many more the same 
benefits it has afforded my peers and me over the last four years.

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Reflections of a Paralympian
By Sam Williams

When New Year’s Eve of 2003 came, I had finished a long, hard journey 
through my first semester at the University of Illinois. I had faced 
transition, technological and equipment failures, death of family and 
friends, fear, temptation, and depression. I also learned how to get back 
on my feet after being knocked down. 

When I came back for second semester it was quite cold outside and there 
were six inches of snow on the ground. If I had been told that I was going
to march into Oaka Stadium in 100 degree weather in nine months, I would 
never have believed such a tale. However, on Thursday, January 25th, I 
received an invitation to the U.S. Paralympic Boccia Trials in Topeka, 
Kansas. I practically fl ipped out of my chair when I read the email. The 
trials were in the middle of March, so I had to get hot fast. 

The trials were stressful, yet exciting. I was glad when they were over, but
I could hardly wait for them to announce the team. When I heard my name 
called I went ballistic. I could not believe I was going to Greece! And I 
knew I had a great teammate in Austin Hanson. I was exhausted on the way 
home, but could not stop smiling. I knew I was about to take part in 
something very special. However, I did not know the road to Athens would be 
quite as long and hard as it was.

The nine-hour plane ride began at 9:00 p.m. In the morning, the sun was out 
and I could look down on the Aegean Sea. It was as blue as the stripes on 
the Greek flag. We had arrived at the center of the world for three weeks. 
As my mom was walking me through the jetway, a Greek woman took my arm and 
helped me walk to my wheelchair. This was the first act of the kindness 
that was displayed to us in Athens by the Greeks. It would certainly not be 
the last.

The village itself was a site that will always be with me. On the perimeter, 
Greek soldiers with automatic rifles sat at positions every 400 meters. 
Inside, people from 140 nations walked in peace on terra-cotta sidewalks and 
stucco buildings. I saw blind men leading other blind men. There was an 
ancient water aqueduct that ran down the center of the village. At the very 
center was a fountain that had the five Olympic rings in the water. At 
night the rings would light up and illuminate the water with five colors.
As we arrived in the dining hall, the enormity of the event that I was 
taking part in hit me with a bang. I was almost brought to tears as I saw 
people from all over the world eating together. It would be in this area of 
the village where I would make friends from Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Ukraine, 
Azerbaijan, China, Japan, Thailand, Mauritania, Mauritius, Austria, and all 
over Africa. Every skin color, language, and prejudice melted away. One day 
as I was eating dinner I decided to exchange pins with the Iraqis. I got a 
pin out and headed over to their table. I was not exactly sure how I would 
be received. I presented my pin with a smile. I could not have predicted 
their response. The entire Iraqi team wanted to exchange gifts. The war did 
not matter to us. We were friends having a chat. I hope they’re safe.

The next five days were filled with practice at Ano Liossia Olympic Hall and 
the Dhekelia Complex. Before I could start practice, Jim had to take me to 
be classified. While I was in line, a man from Iran came up to me and 
pointed to my dynavox. I showed him how it worked. He was quite fascinated 
with my machine and gave me a pin. This was my first experience 
communicating with a person who did not speak English.

Two days before the opening ceremony, the power-lifting team joined us when 
we went into the city of Athens. I had never ridden on a subway system 
before. I probably looked like a total idiot, staring out the window with my 
mouth wide open. It took a good hour to get to our final stop, which 
included changing trains. Our first destination was the Acropolis. We got 
offthe metro in the middle of the Plaka, which is the Greek equivalent of 
Times Square. As we exited the station, we looked offto the right and saw 
the Acropolis on a lofty plateau. In front of us was a ruin from ancient 
times. I had seen images of the Greek ruins in books and on television 
countless times, but to see them in person made me feel like some explorer
discovering these magnificent structures for the first time. We began our 
hike up the mountain. To this day, I have no idea why our Greek security 
guards chose to take us up the route they did, but I will be forever 
grateful that they chose that steep, rough and winding road. As we ascended 
the path, we looked offto the left and saw the ruins of a Roman theater. 
When I say path, I mean a stone street where cars and motorcycles would 
come zooming by honking their horns. Houses and shops were stacked on top
of each other on either side of the street. Further up the path we came to 
a clearing where we saw an intact

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temple below. Next, we came upon an outcropping of marble rock just 
southwest of the main stairway to the Acropolis. Our security guard read us 
the plaque on the rock. This was the Areopagus, or Mars Hill. Trials were 
held on this hill, and the Apostle Paul gave a speech at this site. Bruce 
and I decided we would climb it after we saw the Acropolis.

The final ascent to the Acropolis was an adventure in and of itself. Since 
we could not use the ancient stairway, we had to take a steel cage elevator 
up the 200-foot cliffface. If that puppy fell, it was lights out. As I got 
offthe elevator, I saw the Erechtheion in front of me. The Parthenon was 
offto my right. The Temple of Nike was in front of the Parthenon near the 
stairway. I could not believe I was standing at this fabled site! I wanted 
to see everything. As we walked between these magnificent buildings, I 
was blown away. Statues of gods and goddesses were everywhere. Athletes 
and warriors were carved into the Parthenon. The Pillars of the Caryatids 
held up the south side of the Erechtheion. Just as we were going to the 
Acropolis Museum, I looked over the east side and saw Panathinaiko Stadium, 
where the 1896 Athens Games were held. I looked to the northwest and saw an 
old Greek Orthodox church with its monastery on another high mountain. In 
the museum, there were several statues taken from the Acropolis. I 
accidentally nudged one of them with my chair and a worker steadied it. I 
guess I left my mark. After we toured the museum, my mom, Bruce and I went 
down to go climb Mars Hill. I was not expecting to make a pilgrimage in 
Athens, but my brief moments on Mars Hill will be etched into my heart for 
as long as I live.

It was now time for the opening ceremony. Finally, it was time to march in. 
Kevin Szott, a gold medalist in judo from Sydney raised the flag and marched 
into Oaka Stadium with the whole contingent shouting, “USA, USA, USA!” When 
I crossed the threshold and heard, “The United States of America,” chills 
went down my spine. I could not believe I was marching with the best of the 
best.

Athens was the first time that the organizing committee for the Olympics 
oversaw the Paralympics as well. This was huge! The time came for the 
lighting of the Paralympic torch. The flame entered Oaka Stadium and made 
a lap around the track, carried by four Greek Paralympians. The last 
Paralympian was at the opposite end of the stadium to where the torch was 
situated. He showed the flame to the capacity crowd of 70,000 people and put
the flame to a wire. The flame went around the top of the stadium setting
offmassive fireworks on top of and outside of the stadium. When the 
fireworks reached the torch, the same flame rose to declare the games open. 
It was showtime and the hunt was on.

My first match was the next morning against Armando Costa of Portugal. It 
was finally time to make history. I remember being so pumped up on the way 
to the venue. I had the Rolling Stones blaring in my ears, with my game 
face on. I was ready to get in the ring and go 16 rounds. I did have a few 
good shots in that first game. However, Armando took me apart eleven to one. 
The guy was unbelievable. I was not too disappointed after that match, since 
I had three more the next day. Jim and Bruce told me after the match that I 
was a rookie and not to worry about it. I didn’t do as well in the other 
matches as I would have liked, but my opponents were very worthy of each 
win.

As I walked out on the court for my last match against Yolanda Martin, I 
knew that she was ranked in the top ten in the world and I would probably 
lose, but I had my pride and my sword of hope to brandish. I kissed the 
jack in the first end and scored a point. I scored two more points in the 
second end. Yolanda scored three points in the third end to tie the match.
On my first ball of the final end, I scored a point. Yolanda did not score 
on any of her shots. Before throwing my remaining shots, I remembered to 
confirm the score with the referee. The score was four to three in my 
favor. I threw offthe rest of my balls to not affect the score. The 
scoreboard flashed my name and the American flag with the word “winner” in 
capital letters. I had won my first Paralympic match! I held up my fist to
the section of American fans. My pride was restored.

I had worked hard for four years to get to Athens. Those years were full of 
frustration and bitter disappointment. I sacrificed my time, body, and 
energy to boccia. I took a few beatings, but I represented my God, family, 
friends and country, and never lost my hope or honor. No one can take from
me what I accomplished in Athens.

I may have had my lunch handed to me in Athens, but I was smart enough to 
examine why my opponents were so great. This motivated me to get started on 
a new ramp design. The wheels in my head began to turn. I knew what I had to 
do to get to Beijing. It was 1,361 days to the Beijing games. I was ready to
rock for the next cycle.

Our Paralympic odyssey had come to an end. The past sixteen months have been 
an incredible journey. Since I had cerebral palsy, I was able to represent 
my country on the field of play. I was able to share a unique experience 
with my mom. I have seen humanity come together in peace. I set foot on 
foreign soil and made a pilgrimage. I learned to sharpen my skills for my 
sport. As I knock at the door of my future, I look back and see the range of
mountains that I have climbed. Through the door I can see higher mountains 
that stretch to the sky.

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Benefits of the Transitional Disability Management Program

Beckwith Hall was initially designed to be a transitional residence hall for 
students with severe physical disabilities. It was assumed that students 
would naturally learn skills necessary to be more independent and 
responsible. However, it became apparent that acquiring the aptitude for
independence doesn’t spontaneously result from mere residence in Beckwith 
Hall. There is a clear need to provide educational resources for students
to gain the expertise necessary to succeed in every facet of their life.

The Transitional Disability Management Program was developed three years 
ago to assist students in gaining the competence necessary to enable them 
to succeed in living in whatever environment they choose. The program is 
designed to focus not only on improving one’s physical independence, but 
all realms encompassing the social, emotional, spiritual, and academic 
aspects of their lives as well.

The next five articles highlight how students in all phases of their 
academic career utilize and benefit from the Transitional Disability 
Management Program. These articles summarize how students need to take 
responsibility for acquiring the knowledge to find the resources they need 
and to make good life choices. Good disability management skills will 
provide students with the confidence to successfully make the transition 
to the life they envision beyond college.

Adjustment of an International Student
By Ji Hae Lee

Due to complications of my disability when I was younger, I was 
home-schooled. For a long time I knew that attending the University of 
Illinois could be a good option for me since it is much more accessible 
than any university close to where I live in South Korea. Until now, I had 
never been apart from my parents before. After I received an acceptance 
letter, my parents and I began to worry whether I could succeed here or not,
considering my disability. We were concerned about whether I could get as 
much assistance as I did from my parents and if there would be help if 
something unpredictable happened.

I arrived at Beckwith Hall alone, since it wasn’t feasible for my parents 
to come with me. I faced a lot of things that I had to make decisions about 
and handle by myself, from orientation and registration for classes to what 
brand of shampoo I wanted to buy. I was so excited with all the new school 
experiences and the independence that I now had and so overwhelmed with the 
new environment that I didn’t have time to be homesick. When I struggled, I 
knew that others would help me. After the first crazy month, as things 
settled down I became homesick only once.

When I went home for winter break, my friends and family kept asking me if 
I liked it, and if it was what I had expected. I replied that it was much 
better than I had expected! I had services to accommodate my needs 
(transportation, notetaking, etc.), so that I could concentrate more on my
academic goals rather than hassling with disabilityrelated problems. 
Unfortunately, the services couldn’t accommodate for my poor sense of 
direction, so I got lost several times a day for months.

Most importantly, there were people who were willing to help me. 
Socializing was stressful to me since I wasn’t experienced at interacting 
with strangers, especially peers. However, the directors, resident advisors 
and my fellow residents were friendly and made me feel comfortable enough 
that I could ask about many different topics. They also helped me to learn 
about college life and American culture, from Halloween to “Unofficial St. 
Patrick’s Day.” When I found myself “freaking out,” I asked numerous 
questions about how to deal with certain issues.

As I look back on my experience this year knowing what my parents and I 
feared, I can honestly say that yes, attending the University of Illinois 
was a great decision for me. I will be able to succeed here, despite 
potential complications of my disability, and all of my needs will be met. 
I can attribute this success to the overwhelming accessibility of this 
campus and Beckwith Hall, participation in the Transitional Disability 
Management Program, and all of the other resources available to me. Most
importantly, it is through the friendships that I have developed during my 
short time here on campus.

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The Road to Independence
By Adam Reid

For the past six years my family and friends helped me with every aspect of 
my life (transportation, activities of daily living, writing, 
transferring...). Last year when I was a freshman, I saw how other students 
were learning to manage their disabilities and maximize their independence. 
I put some thought into this over the summer and I decided that I wanted to 
see what I was truly capable of doing for myself. I understand that I will 
always need someone to help me do some things, but I also know that I’m 
capable of doing more than what I have in the past.

When I arrived back this fall and developed my goals for the Transitional 
Disability Management Program, I decided that becoming more independent was 
what I wanted to primarily focus on. I learned what type of adaptive 
equipment I needed, as well as how to use it successfully. I became adept 
at unlocking my door and participating more in my activities of daily 
living. Before Thanksgiving I was feeding myself and working with teaching 
my other personal assistants (PAs) how to do range of motion on me. You
should have seen the look on my family’s faces when I brought out my 
splints and started feeding myself at Thanksgiving dinner. By the end of 
the semester, I had even taken off my sweatshirt alone once.

This semester, I want to get better at cutting my own food, get physically
stronger, and try pushing a racing wheelchair. Before my accident I used to 
be on the track team, and the thought that I may be able to compete again 
really thrills me. Part of what motivates me to complete these goals is 
that they are included in my Transitional Disability Management Program. It 
is my ambition to work on these goals, and the people and resources that 
are available to me have allowed me to achieve them. This is only a 
beginning. I look forward to challenging myself further. By the time I 
graduate, I hope to be driving my van and using a PA much less than I do 
now.

Highlights of an Odelius Scholar
By Carmen Sutherland

The Matthew Allen Odelius Award was established to honor the memory of a 
former Beckwith student. Matthew is remembered for his independence, and
above all, his positive attitude. The annual award is given to a UIUC 
student with a disability currently living at Beckwith Hall. He or she must 
be in good academic standing and demonstrate leadership in advancing the 
involvement of students with disabilities in all aspects of academic and 
co-curricular life.

In November, 2004, as a junior in special education, I was blessed to 
receive the Matthew Allen Odelius Award. I was given this honor because of
my success in academics, as well as my efforts to be a leader in the 
disabled community at the University of Illinois. I have been involved in a 
wide variety of activities around campus. One of my extracurricular 
ventures is holding the position of secretary, Delta Sigma Omicron, the 
service organization for students with disabilities. Also, I’m a 
facilitator for Boxes and Walls, an interactive museum which allows people 
to experience what it’s like to be part of different minority groups. I 
volunteered in the “people with disabilities” room. I am also involved in 
an organization called VIP Best Buddies, where people from UI are paired
up with people in the community who have mental disabilities, and the pair 
participates in activities together, as well as forms a deep friendship. 
Outside of school last semester, I served as a tutor at Urbana Middle 
School, helping students with math in one of the special education classes. 
Through these opportunities, I have been able to encourage others and show 
them that it is possible to achieve one’s dreams.

I was thrilled to receive this award, not only because it contributed to my
education in a monetary sense, but it also exemplified that people 
recognize, and most importantly, support, the difference I am trying to make
for people with disabilities. I am excited to learn more about disabilities 
and expand my effort to make a difference in the future. I am also grateful
to be able to honor the Odelius family and others through my efforts.

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Life After the University of Illinois
By Michael Gorman

After four years living at Beckwith Hall, I think I finally understand how 
it has helped prepare me for an independent life outside of college. Coming 
to the University of Illinois as a freshman, I was very scared to leave 
such a comfortable situation at home. I had never been very good at asking 
other people for help, and I was not looking forward to hiring my own 
personal assistants (PAs). However, Beckwith Hall has provided a great 
framework and network for finding and training PAs in order to make my life 
more independent, and allowed me to receive a quality education at the same 
time. As a finance major in the College of Business, I realized by my 
junior year that I had to start thinking about my future, a very scary 
topic. I wanted to gain more real-life experience by completing a summer 
internship. This would also help prepare me for a full-time position the 
following year. I was able to utilize contacts at DRES in order to interview
for and receive an offer from Motorola. However, I also applied on my own to
another firm, Arthur J. Gallagher, and accepted an internship there. It 
ended up being a fabulous summer and a great experience.

When it came time to look for a full-time position this fall, I knew that I 
already had my foot in the door at Gallagher. I didn’t want to limit my 
opportunities. I interviewed with several different firms with the help of 
Business Career Services in the College of Business. I accepted a full-time 
position at Gallagher, although I valued the experience of interviewing and 
networking with many great people throughout the process.

Now I am preparing for life on my own. My Transitional Disability Management
Program goals consist of finding an accessible apartment and reliable PAs, 
looking into public transportation, and many other issues. It will not be 
easy, but I feel like living at Beckwith Hall has provided me with the tools 
to effectively transition from college to almost complete independence. The 
most important thing in making that transition, I believe, is to be 
assertive in your job and internship search. Don’t just rely on resources 
for people with disabilities. Supplement those resources with regular 
advisors and career fairs and services. I have a lot of planning yet to do, 
but I am confident that I will be successful and independent, due in part
because of my experiences while living at Beckwith Hall.

Easing Transition into Post-Secondary Education
By Mary Jo Crihfield

I am currently earning my masters degree in rehabilitation counseling. In 
December, 2004, I completed a masters degree in higher education 
administration. Throughout my entire academic career I have lived at 
Beckwith Hall. For the past two years as a graduate student, I have been 
fortunate to have had the opportunity to serve as part of the administrative 
team for a new pilot program at the Division of Disability Resources and 
Educational Services. The program, Illinois Students Taking Effective 
Preparation (ISTEP), was designed as a transition program at the University 
of Illinois for incoming students with disabilities.

ISTEP is a wonderful opportunity for any incoming student with a disability 
to utilize, but especially for those who are intending to live at Beckwith. 
It is designed to help students with their transition from high school to 
college, and to maximize the potential for each student to be successful at 
this university. It also allows students to begin addressing other 
parameters of their education which are also imperative to their successful 
transition.

When I think back to my freshman year, I can remember being very “dazed and 
confused” most of the time, in addition to experiencing a mix of intense 
emotions. I often found myself wondering if I had made the right choice to 
attend this school. The University of Illinois can be a frightening place 
for many new students who are facing obstacles never imagined. A primary 
concern is the hiring, training and management of personal assistants. I 
obviously made the right choice to attend UIUC, because after five years I 
am still here and have had a successful experience. However, I can’t help 
thinking that if

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a program like ISTEP would have been available when I was a freshman, how 
that would have eased all of those intense emotions that I experienced. 
Furthermore, it would have offered me an additional outlet of support. It 
also would have alleviated some of the questions/concerns that I had in 
regard to being a student with a disability on campus.

The curriculum covered during ISTEP includes an introduction to the services 
offered by DRES, an overview of academic accommodations and study skills, 
and most importantly, an emphasis on teaching students how to be effective 
self-advocates. In addition, students have the opportunity to meet 
one-on-one with a resource facilitator to discuss any concerns about 
accommodations and the transition from high school. Any student who will be 
living at Beckwith also has the opportunity to meet with the director to 
discuss living arrangements and anything else that will make that first 
semester easier for all.

I encourage any student with a disability who will be attending UIUC to 
learn more about ISTEP, and take advantage of every opportunity offered to 
make the best out of these college years!

Wheel Awareness 2005: Perspective of a Participant
By Chandra Moore

Last semester, I participated in Wheel Awareness. This is an opportunity 
for able-bodied individuals to use a wheelchair for the day and to get a 
glimpse of what it is like to have a disability. It is also a fundraiser 
on behalf of the Muscular Dystrophy Association, United Cerebral Palsy, and 
the Spinal Cord Injury Association.

I was very excited when I was propositioned to participate. I just knew it
would be fun and easy. Was I in for a surprise! Don’t get me wrong, however. 
I enjoyed being able to support the cause, but there were some unforeseen
circumstances I underwent. First of all and most importantly, the sidewalks 
in Champaign-Urbana are horrible. They are not conducive to a safe and 
smooth ride. Quite a few times I almost fell out of the wheelchair. If I 
hadn’t cheated by putting my feet down, I would have fallen out. One 
sidewalk was so hilly and cracked I didn’t know what to do. Many people saw 
me struggling.

That brings me to my next point. Some people asked me if they could help, 
but others just came right up behind me and sort of shoved me. There I
was wheeling up a hill and someone came up behind me and pushed me without 
any warning. You can imagine how terrified I was. I commend the effort of
their wanting to help, but there are certain ways to go about it. For 
example, “Hi, my name is ( ). I noticed you were having a hard time getting 
up this hill. Would you like for me to help you?” One person did come up to 
me and asked if he could assist. He said he knew how hard it was to use a 
manual wheelchair because he had previously broken both of his legs.

After having to endure the terrible streets of the city and rude people, I 
just knew there wouldn’t be any more problems. To my surprise, I realized 
that the so-called accessible buildings on campus are not always accessible. 
One building in particular had an entrance ramp that led to a basement 
elevator. On the way to the elevator, there is a steep hill. Going down was 
pretty wild. But going up was scary. I tried to wheel up and hold onto one 
rail to help me, but I found myself falling backward. Usually I could pull 
myself up holding both railings, but in this building the railings were too 
wide apart so I could only grab one side. This was very awkward! To top 
things off, it started raining when I was on my way back to Beckwith.

Overall, I found the experience to be very beneficial. I now have a little 
insight on what people with mobility disabilities deal with on a day-today
basis:
Sore arms
Stares….

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Mission
Beckwith Hall opened in 1981 to accommodate the residential needs of 
students with disabilities who require the help of personal assistants to 
perform basic activities of daily living. While aiding students in the 
management of their activities of daily living (transferring in and out of 
wheelchairs, dressing, grooming, bathing, etc.), Beckwith also offers 
individualized training designed to help students learn to independently 
manage their disability-related needs and, whenever possible, transition 
to mainstream community housing. The ultimate goal of Beckwith Hall 
programming is to make it possible for graduates to go anywhere their lives 
and career aspirations take them, confident that they can manage their own 
needs.

Beckwith is much like any other university residence hall in that it has a 
cafeteria, student government, laundry room and a campus location along the 
Division’s bus route. In addition, Beckwith offers the unique convenience of
private sleep-study rooms with adjacent semi-private bathrooms. A computer 
lab with four workstations, voice activation systems, and a wide range of 
peripheral assistive input devices are also available.

For additional information about Beckwith Residence Hall, you may visit our 
website at www.disability.uiuc.edu/services/beckwith, contact the DRES 
Student Services Office by phone at (217) 333-4603 (v/TTY), or send email 
to disability@uiuc.edu.

Beckwith Hall
201 East John Street
Champaign, Illinois 61820